What about focus in Action?

I have to disagree with the posters who recommend AV mode - that may result in lower than optimal shutter speeds. Canons are very good at high ISOS - set ISO to 800 or 1600, TV - shutter priority and go to at least 250th/sec. Since none of your photos are in focus, switch all the focus points on. There is a custom function - i have a 20d - that lets you switch focus to the * button, while exposure is set by pressing the shutter halfway. Also use AI SERVO which tracks a moving object.

Good luck<div></div>

Well thank you everyone for all your suggestions.

I have a few things to try at my next game which is Friday this week.

Terry

Terry, you have gotten some very good advice and some not so good advice here. Let me try to give you a little help for tonights game (if you read this in time).

Forget about a monopod. That is not your problem. A monopod is a great tool, but really, unless you have a very hard time holding your hands still, with a 70-200 on the XT, you should have no problems. Practice your handholding technique. This is the most important part of things. If you can not hold the camera steady, sports is not going to be something that will work for you over time. Pan with the action but move smoothly as you do. Support the lens with your left hand and be sure to have your feet shoulder width apart.

Make sure you have the camera in AI Servo. Set the camera to M mode. Set your ISO to 800 and your lens to about 3.2 (I know, I know, it is dark. Trust me. 3.2). Set your shutter speed to the flash sync. The Xt is 1/200th I believe...it has been a year since I held one. Put your 420ex on the camera and you are ready for some test shots. Go ahead and set your camera to single frame advance. The 420ex does not have a manual mode like the 430ex or the 550/580ex does, but ETTL will work. Take a test shot on the field. Too bright? Drop the ISO to 400 or use flash exposure compensation and dial it down a stop or two. Not bright enough? try bumping the flash exposure comp up a stop or two. FEC (flash exposure) is set in one of the menus of the rebel. Do not worry about the shutter speed being too slow, the flash will be doing the work of the shutter. And, if you can, experiment. What might work for you, may not work for others and what works for others may not work for you. But use this as a starting point and tweak it to your liking.<div></div>